Financial Controller

ROAST is a multi-award-winning independent performance media agency, founded in 2015. We proudly work with brands like Rightmove, Experian, and LEON, with one clear goal: to deliver better return on advertising spend (ROAS) than anyone else. How do we do it? By combining both media intelligence and data science, along with constant experimentation, we create solutions that will drive the biggest impact. But none of this works without exceptional people – which is why we put talent first, always. Training, progression, and opportunities to learn are baked into how we work. We want our people to feel happy, supported, and inspired. Exceptional company culture isn’t an add-on at ROAST – it’s the engine. It powers everything: creativity, collaboration, retention, results. We’re proud of the culture we’ve built, because it’s authentic and intentional. Rooted in shared values, not just surface perks. ROAST have created a place where people belong, grow, and do their best work – together.

The Role

ROAST is a fast-moving, ambitious agency group - and our finances need to keep up. Supporting the Group Finance Director, this role sits at the heart of the business: owning the accuracy of our financial reporting, keeping our controls watertight, and making sure the numbers underpinning every big decision are ones we can genuinely stand behind. Day-to-day you'll work closely with our Management Accountant through busy periods such as month end and year end, and you'll become a familiar face well beyond the finance team - helping heads of department get to grips with their budgets, track client spend, and plan properly. As ROAST grows, you'll be helping build the financial infrastructure to carry us forward.

Reports to: Group Finance Director

Key Responsibilities

• Provide control of the integrity of all the financial data leaving the Finance team
• Responsibility of the company’s accounting function managing the month end process including Balance Sheet reconciliation
• The company's cash management policies
• Annual statutory accounts and control accounts ready for the auditors
• Compliance with all statutory obligations — HMRC and beyond
• Ensuring credit limits with clients are enforced and client payment is in line with their payment terms
• Building robust, scalable financial systems as the business grows, including leading on systems implementation
• Assist with due diligence on business expansion and development.
• Rolling out ROAST Group financial processes in any new office opened
• Lead and develop the Management Accountant
• Assist with the development of our use of AI and tools to automate reporting within the business

The Candidate

• Minimum requirement to be part-qualified ACMA accredited (ACA/ACCA also considered) and actively working towards completion of qualifications in order that can support fully the Group Finance Director
• Currently operating at Assistant FC or Management Accountant level and ready to take the step up to full Financial Controller responsibility - we are looking for someone on the rise rather than someone retracing their steps
• Demonstrable experience within a medium-sized media or marketing services agency, with a clear understanding of how client budgets, retainers and agency finances operate in practice
• Proven Balance Sheet reconciliation experience is essential
• Strong technical and systems capability: advanced Excel as a minimum, with demonstrable experience in systems implementation and process automation desirable. We want someone who uses technology to make finance more efficient.
• An effective and confident communicator, able to engage credibly across all levels of the business: from delivery teams to senior leadership, and to translate financial complexity into clear, actionable insight for non-finance stakeholders
• A self-motivated individual with sound organisational skills, the ability to manage and develop a small team, and the initiative to identify and act on issues without being directed to do so
• Comfortable working in a collaborative, office-based environment. We operate a hybrid model, however we would expect the successful candidate to be present in the office as their default, with remote working as the exception rather than the norm

Working at ROAST

Location: Soho, London W1

Holidays: 25 days, increasing with length of service, plus Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve off; optional company trips

Benefits: Hybrid working (upon probation completion), Additional 2 weeks ‘work from anywhere in the world’, Access to Aviva Digicare+, providing healthchecks, Digital GP, MH consultations and more, Life and Income Protection insurance, Discounted wellbeing classes / membership and massages, Active company social life organised by a staff committee, Team sports such as softball, netball, bowling, Opportunity for involvement in CSR and charity initiatives, Cycle, electric car and tech purchase savings, Training, including supplier sessions (e.g. Google), industry bodies, internal and external trainers

Our hybrid-working model allows you some variety on your place of work, offering you the chance to work from home on some days each week, where possible. You will be expected to attend the office in line with our company policy. All staff liaise closely with their line manager and client team to manage their time appropriately and according to their work and team requirements.

We are an equal opportunities employer. At ROAST, we take pride in creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment where everyone is welcome and their contributions are valued. When we recruit, hire, train, promote or engage in any other employment practice, we are committed to being an inclusive employer regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, socioeconomic status, medical condition or disability, or any other protected status. If you have a disability we would be happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the job with you.

Please note that we will only accept applications from candidates who are legally entitled to work in the United Kingdom. Please beware of scams online or from individuals claiming to represent us. A ROAST / Kitty employee will never solicit candidates through a non-ROAST email address or phone number / WhatsApp. Please refuse any request that asks you to provide payment to participate in the hiring process.